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Cooperative distributed problem solving

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In computing cooperative distributed problem solving is a network of semi-autonomous processing nodes working together to solve a problem, typically in a multi-agent system. That is concerned with the investigation of problem subdivision, sub-problem distribution, results synthesis, optimisation of problem solver coherence and co-ordination. It is closely related to distributed constraint programming and distributed constraint optimization; see the links below.

Aspects of CDPS

  • Neither global control or global data storage – no individual CDPS problem solver (agent) has sufficient information to solve the entire problem.
  • Control and data are distributed
  • Communication is slower than computation, therefore:
    • Loose coupling between problem solvers
    • Efficient protocols (not too much communication overhead)
    • problems should be modular, coarse grained
  • Any unique node is a potential bottleneck
    • Organised behaviour is hard to guarantee since no one node has the complete picture

See also

Some relevant books


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